<p>In this photograph taken May 21 in Yellowstone National Park, Mont., tourists photograph Old Faithful erupting on schedule late in the afternoon. As the summer travel season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, many people may take one look at the price of an airplane ticket or a gallon of gas and decide to put off their dream vacation for one closer to home and closer to nature.</p>
May 29, 2011
Stories this photo appears in:
Park visitation up but finances weak across US
State parks are looking at serious cuts, higher fees
HELENA, Mont. - Closed parks, fewer services and more volunteer help are some of the ways states are coping with steep budget cuts that could limit vacations and long summer weekends for campers and outdoor lovers seeking recreation closer to home. Nationally Park Service budgets have also been hit, but the changes shouldn't be as noticeable.